Building Business , Retention , and Support through the Women ’ s Business Development Academy
Approximately 60 percent of law school graduates are women . But along the path from law school graduate to partner , that majority becomes a minority . According to Tasneem Khokha , managing director of GrowthPlay , “ There ’ s no doubt that retention and advancement of women in law firms is a problem . One of the best ways to retain and advance women is for them to build relationships and a book of business .” Another critical piece , says
Krystal Studavent Ramsey , Blank Rome ’ s director of diversity & inclusion and a former director of business development , is “ building and actively leveraging a business development network , which should include colleagues and friends who can cross-sell business , mentors , coaches , clients , media contacts , and other referral sources .”
These two objectives were the inspiration for our firm ’ s Women ’ s Business Development Academy (“ WBDA ”), launched in 2017 . Since then , Tasneem has led three cohorts of women partners and of counsel through the immersive , six-month program , the latest in the first half of 2022 . Each class of around 15 women attorneys participates in a kick-off session and workshop , individual coaching sessions , group coaching sessions , and a final “ momentum ” session where participants discuss their progress , celebrate successes , and plan future business development endeavors . This year , 31 percent of the women in our cohort were women of color . Tasneem emphasizes that participants learn as much from each other as they do from her .
Added in 2022 were an alumnae session on current trends and an associate session on business development fundamentals . The alumnae gatherings are especially important to maintain the sense of a business development support community .
After taking part in the Academy , participants have reported a significantly improved level of confidence and
engagement in business development activity . Tasneem believes our firm ’ s early start , consistency in offering the program , and sense of community are unique . Krystal adds that ensuring diverse representation in the program and participants engaging in other coaching and mentoring programs , such as BR Advance , are contributing factors to the Academy ’ s impact and results .
Brooke T . Iley , from the 2019 cohort added , “ One of my biggest takeaways from the program was to think more broadly . With the help of a very strong and supportive group , I identified client business goals and created specific action plans to promote legal services and knowledge across several complementary practice areas . WBDA helped me to develop a diverse network of women representing varied practice areas to share ideas and connect with potential clients . For example , the idea for our firm ’ s Women ’ s General Counsel Roundtable group emerged out of WBDA . It started in Pittsburgh but now has fostered new groups in New York and Washington , D . C , as well as various virtual collectives that have been the impetus to drive business generation for the firm .”
Mouchette added , “ I really appreciated the forum to connect with friends , old and new , throughout the firm to learn more about their practices , strategize ways to maximize our relationship-building efforts , and develop new skills with the help of Tasneem .” •
Tasneem Khokha GrowthPlay
PERSPECTIVES • 7